Jessica Biggs wins Chicago's first school board presidency. Union-backed candidates fall about one seat short of a majority

Jessica Biggs, a sitting school board member and former Chicago Public Schools principal, won the city's first election for president of the Board of Education, according to unofficial results. NBC Chicago's results page showed her with 48.6% at about 95% of the expected vote, ahead of Hilario Dominguez at 30.9% and Victor Henderson at 17.8%. Dominguez conceded shortly after 9 p.m., Chalkbeat Chicago reported.

Why it matters: in January, Chicago gets its first fully elected school board, with 20 district members and a president who for the first time has a full vote and sets the agenda, Chalkbeat reported. The board controls a budget the City Council doesn't vote on, but the two bodies are tied together by money, and both answer to voters again soon: the mayor and all 50 alderpersons are on the Feb. 23 ballot.

The board that takes office

Chalkbeat reported that union-backed candidates led in 10 district races Tuesday night, one short of a majority. WBEZ, citing Associated Press results at 11 p.m., counted nine of 21. The counts differ because several races were still too close to call: WBEZ listed districts 3b, 4a, 5b, 6a and 7a that way, and mail ballots are still arriving.

Dominguez, a former Chicago Teachers Union deputy political director, was backed by the union and Mayor Brandon Johnson, ABC7 reported. Biggs was backed by SEIU, several CPS administrators and the Common Ground Collective political action committee, Chalkbeat reported. More than $5 million was spent in the president's race, WBEZ reported. Biggs's own district seat, 6b, is going to Brittany Kimble, according to WBEZ.

Some results Chalkbeat and WBEZ reported:

• 5a (West Side): LaPamela Williams over incumbent Aaron "Jitu" Brown.
• 10a (South Side): Che "Rhymefest" Smith won.
• 2b (North Lakefront): incumbent Debby Pope won.
• 8a, 4b and 9a each had one name on the ballot.

All results are unofficial and won't be certified for a few weeks, Chalkbeat noted.

What our records add

The Council votes on money for school buildings. This year the Council approved seven agreements sending tax increment financing money to the Board of Education for work at specific schools. Each was introduced by the Mayor, and none drew more than one no vote. The latest, for Suder Montessori and Stowe Elementary, passed 49 to 0 on Oct. 14. Our explainer covers the Council's role.

February's ballot asks about sister-agency debts. One of the three citywide questions the Council set for Feb. 23 asks whether the City should withhold money from sister agencies that don't enforce repayment plans for debts they owe the City (R2026-0025460). It was sponsored by Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) with 10 co-sponsors and adopted 29 to 20 on July 22, the closest of the Council's votes on a citywide question this year after the 24-23 monument question. The question doesn't name CPS, but the schools are one of the City's largest sister agencies.

Both budgets count on money that isn't certain. The schools' 2026-27 budget assumes about $150 million more from the state, and midyear cuts could follow if it doesn't come, Chalkbeat reported. The City's proposed 2027 budget lost $75 million on Monday when the Council sent the parking meter payment to pensions.

What's next

• Nov. 17: the last day for mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted.
• In the coming weeks: the Board of Election Commissioners certifies Chicago's results.
• January 2027: the fully elected board is seated.
• Feb. 23, 2027: the municipal election, with February's three Council questions on the ballot. What they are.